EAST HARTFORD TOWN COUNCIL
TOWN COUNCIL CHAMBERS
OCTOBER 16, 2007
PRESENT Chair Richard F. Kehoe, Vice Chair William P. Horan, Jr., Minority Leader Donald H. Pitkin, Councillors, Marcia A. Leclerc, Marc I. Weinberg, Jason Rojas, Patricia Harmon and Eric Thompson
ABSENT Majority Leader Mary Alice Dwyer-Hughes
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Kehoe called the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m. He announced the exit locations in
accordance with Connecticut General Statutes § 29-381, after which the Council joined him in the pledge of allegiance.
AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA
MOTION By Don Pitkin
seconded by Eric Thompson
to add under New Business, Item 9. E. as follows:
Referral to Investigation and Audit Committee re: Non-compliance ofTown
Charter and Related State Statutes.
Motion carried 8/0.
OPPORTUNITY FOR RESIDENTS TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL ON AGENDA ITEMS
Robert Keating, Chair of the Board of Commissioners of the East Hartford Housing Authority, spoke in support of the appointment of Robert Crelan to the Board of Commissioners of the East Hartford Housing Authority.
Susan Kniep, 50 Olde Roberts Street, asked about the cameras on Silver Lane across from Rentschler Field in relation to the privacy of the town's residents. Ms. Kniep asked that the property along Burnside Avenue that is being referred to the Real Estate Acquisition & Disposition Committee on Tonight's agenda, not be referred.
Mayor Currey (1) explained that the State Traffic Commission requires the cameras on Silver Lane across from Rentschler Field in order to monitor traffic and they do not scan adjoining property; (2) Fall Fest is this weekend; (3) Haunted House, at Veterans' Memorial Clubhouse, is ready to view; (4) the Capital Improvement Project expenditure update is included in the information supplied to the Councillors regarding the police department's wireless video camera system presentation; (5) once construction is completed, .the Burnside Avenue property, listed as a referral to the Real Estate Acquisition & Disposition Committee, will generate approximately $50,000 annually in tax revenue; (6) Cabela's grand opening is this weekend.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
October 2, 2007 Regular Meeting
MOTION By Bill Horan
seconded by Don Pitkin
to approve the minutes of the October 2, 2007 Regular Meeting.
Motion carried 8/0.
RESOLUTIONS
State of Connecticut Department of Transportation Grant re: Incremental Costs for Hybrid Vehicles
MOTION By Marcia Leclerc
seconded by Bill Horan
to adopt the following resolution:
RESOLVED that Mayor Melody A. Currey is authorized to make, execute and approve on behalf of this corporation, any and all contracts or amendments thereof with the State of Connecticut Department of Transportation in relation to the 2007 Connecticut Clean Fuel Program for a $31,950 grant to the Town of East Hartford to be used exclusively to reimburse the Town for the incremental cost of four (4) alternative fuel/hybrid vehicles.
On call of the vote, motion carried 8/0.
Minority Leader Pitkin inquired on the performance of the hybrid vehicles that the town has purchased, as compared to the regular vehicles in the town's fleet.
COMMUNICATIONS AND PETITIONS
Presentation by East Hartford Police Department: Wireless Video Camera System
East Hartford Police Department Deputy Chief John Murphy, along with representatives
from New England Communications Systems, Inc., presented the Council with an
overview of the wireless technology that is available for the town's utilization. Deputy
Chief Murphy stated that both the Town of Southington police department and the City of
New London police department have implemented the wireless video camera system
with success, especially when addressing traffic concerns, crime and crowd control.
NEW BUSINESS
Appointment to Planning and Zoning Commission
MOTION By Marc Weinberg
seconded by Marcia Leclerc
to appoint Mary Whaples as an Alternate member of the
Planning and Zoning Commission; term to expire 12/09.
Motion carried 8/0.
Minority Leader Donald Pitkin recused himself from discussion and vote on the following agenda item.
Referral to Real Estate Acquisition & Disposition Committee re: 478, 482, 484 Burnside Avenue and 550-560 Burnside Avenue
MOTION By Jason Rojas
seconded by Bill Horan
to refer to the Real Estate Acquisition & Disposition Committee the
properties of 478, 482, 484 and 550-560 Burnside Avenue.
Motion carried 6/1. Nay: Thompson (Pitkin out of Chamber)
Refund of Taxes
MOTION By Marc Weinberg
seconded by Marcia Leclerc
to refund taxes in the amount of $34,071.57
pursuant to Section 12-129 of the Connecticut General Statutes.
Motion carried 8/0.
Memorandum
DATE: October 23, 2007
TO: Michael Walsh, Director of Finance
FROM: Patricia Faucher, Collector of Revenue
RE: Refund of Taxes
Under the provisions of Section 12-129 of the Connecticut General Statutes, the following persons are entitled to the refunds as requested:
Name and Address |
Account |
Amount |
Reason |
Birritta, Vincenzo or Birritta, Rosa 157 Langford Lane East Hartford, CT 06118-2371 |
2006-03-53426 |
6.00 |
Overpayment Marker # 477MMP |
Brownespringer, Maureen 110 Risley St East Hartford, CT 06118-1532 |
2006-03-54702 |
129.24 |
Overpayment Marker # 568SMT |
Camrac Inc 8 Ella Grasso Turnpike Windsor Locks, CT 06096-1015 |
Summary in Tax Office |
22,457.21 |
Assessor’s Adjustment See Attached |
Cruz, Rachel 456 Tolland Turnpike Apt #44A Willington, CT 06279 |
2005-04-82050 |
46.01 |
Assessor’s Adjustment Marker # 619UAP |
Diaz, Luis A 13 Outlook Street East Hartford, CT 06108-2853 |
2005-04-82392 |
22.60 |
Assessor’s Adjustment Marker # 785UGG |
DL Peterson Trust 940 Ridgebrook Rd Sparks, MD 21152 |
2006-03-60764 2006-03-60760 |
245.76 614.76 860.52 Total |
Assessor’s Adjustment Marker # 9CG867 # 237TAB |
Ehmke, William C 1857 Main St East Hartford, CT 06118 |
2006-01-1598 |
120.35 |
Overpayment 1857 Main Street
|
First American Real Estate Tax Serv Attn: Tax Refunds 1 First American Way Mail Code: DFW 1-3 Westlake, TX 76262 |
2006-01-14533 |
2215.06 |
Overpayment 44 Belden Street |
First Horizon Home Loans C/O Total Mortgage Solutions, LP 1555 Walnut Hill Lane, Suite 200A Irving, TX 75038 |
2006-01-2275 |
1307.00 |
Duplicate Payment 79 Suffolk Drive |
Glinski, Kenneth F 11 Marina Dr Winter Haven, FL 33881 |
2005-03-65111 2005-03-65112 |
67.08 60.98 128.06 Total |
Assessor’s Adjustment Marker # 2C2390 # 292SVV |
Griswold, Brian 101 Shannon Rd East Hartford, CT 06118 |
2006-01-10411 |
2152.03 |
Overpayment 101 Shannon Road |
Harris, Cedric 27 High St East Hartford, CT 06108 |
2002-03-66451 2006-03-66599 2006-03-66600 |
19.30 45.52 100.78 165.60 Total |
Assessor’s Adjustment Marker # 339RAH # G50390 # 44CM15 |
Hoover, Dorothy W 97 Arbutus St East Hartford, CT 06108-2904 |
2006-03-67993 |
39.60 |
Overpayment Marker # VU2203 |
Hudson, Carrol G 62 Springside Ave East Hartford, CT 06108-1660 |
2006-03-68162 |
19.57 |
Assessor’s Adjustment Marker # 487SRZ |
Hussain, Mushtaq 15 Bell Court B-2 East Hartford, CT 06108 |
2006-03-68291 |
22.05 |
Overpayment Marker # 984SLX |
Land America Lender Services 4910 River Grade Rd Suite 301 Irwindale, CA 91706 |
2005-01-544 |
1589.52 |
Overpayment 18 Carroll Road |
Larson, Edwin 1715 Main St East Hartford, CT 06108 |
2006-03-71290 |
134.73 |
Assessor’s Adjustment Marker # 653FNT |
Levasseur, John E 213 Main Street East Hartford, CT 06118-3603 |
2006-03-72068 |
8.00 |
Overpayment Marker # 4CF691 |
Nieves, Jaime or Nieves, Laura 11 Whiting Rd East Hartford, CT 06118 |
2005-04-86246 |
15.00 |
Assessor’s Adjustment Marker # 659TNS |
Pignone, Tracy A 146 Cipolla Dr East Hartford, CT 06118 |
2006-03-80252 |
10.78 |
Overpayment Marker # 8CL759 |
Proia, Roy F PO Box 60407 Florence, MA 01062-0407 |
2006-03-80859 |
67.60 |
Assessor’s Adjustment Marker # 784312 |
Ruddock, Louis or Ruddock, Sonia 130 Monroe St East Hartford, CT 06118-2324 |
2006-03-83568 |
7.23 |
Assessor’s Adjustment Marker # 644SPJ |
Simonelli, Nichole 19 Wadsworth St East Hartford, CT 06118 |
2006-01-10517 |
51.84 |
Overpayment 19 Wadsworth Street |
Stowe Kitchen & Bath Center LLC 845 Sullivan Ave South Windsor, CT 06074 |
2006-03-83482 |
10.48 |
Overpayment Marker # 247RJS |
Velez, Ada 7 Woodbridge Ave East Hartford, CT 06108 |
2006-03-89427 |
39.41 |
Assessor’s Adjustment Marker # 248SYS |
Wells Fargo Real Estate Tax Serv Attn: Financial Support Unit-Region 1 1 Home Campus, MAC X2302-04D Des Moines, IA 50328-0001 |
2006-01-3087 |
647.66 |
Overpayment 79 Arbutus Street |
Yaconiello, Timothy 30 Magnolia Dr East Hartford, CT 06118 |
2006-01-15674 |
1798.42 |
Overpayment 30 Magnolia Drive |
TOTAL |
|
34,071.57 |
|
_____________________
Patricia Faucher, CCMC
Appointment of Robert Crelan to the East Hartford Housing Authority
MOTION By Bill Horan
seconded by Marcia Leclerc
to appoint Robert Crelan to the Board of Commissioners of the
East Hartford Housing Authority; term to expire July 2012.
Motion carried 8/0.
Referral to Investigation and Audit Subcommittee re: Non-compliance with Town Charter and Applicable State Statutes
MOTION By Don Pitkin
seconded by Eric Thompson
to refer to the Investigation and Audit Subcommittee the issue of non-
compliance of town departments with the Town Charter and any related
State Statutes, if applicable.
Motion carried 8/0.
OPPORTUNITY FOR COUNCILLORS TO DIRECT QUESTIONS TO THE ADMINISTRATION
Jason Rojas asked when leaf pickup would start.
~
Eric Thompson asked why an additional $14,000 was added to the price of the repairs/restoration of the town hall cupola.
~
Marcia Leclerc asked if Public Works would have~extended hours at the landfill in order to accommodate the public during leaf collection/removal.
COUNCIL ACTION ON EXECUTIVE SESSION MATTERS
Wayne Francis v. Town of East Hartford
MOTION By Bill Horan
seconded by Marcia Leclerc
to accept the recommendation of Corporation Counsel to settle nine tax appeal
cases entitled Wayne Francis v. Town of East Hartford and to authorize the Town
Assessor to reduce the assessed value of the following properties owned by
Wayne Francis to the sums listed below, subject to rounding:
Docket No. |
Property Address |
Reduced Assessed Value by (7%) |
|
|
|
CV-07-4014698 |
17 Cumberland Drive |
$168,130 |
CV-07-4014699 |
11 Cumberland Drive |
$157,200 |
CV-07-4014700 |
66 Simmons Road |
$149,930 |
CV-07-4014701 |
77 Gould Drive |
$171,750 |
CV-07-4014702 |
41 Gould Drive |
$166,750 |
CV-07-4014703 |
27 Cumberland Drive |
$164,120 |
CV-07-4014705 |
57 Gould Drive |
$163,850 |
CV-07-4014708 |
73 Gould Drive |
$167,130 |
CV-07-4014710 |
67 Gould Drive |
$156,940 |
beginning with the Grand List of October 1, 2006; further that neither party
will be entitled to fees or costs of any kind; further that if the plaintiff is entitled to a
refund of taxes paid, the refund will be deducted from the next installment of taxes.
Motion carried 8/0.
OPPORTUNITY FOR RESIDENTS TO SPEAK
Susan Kniep, 50 Olde Roberts Street, (1) inquired on the vote for the Burnside Avenue properties that were referred to the Real Estate Acquisition & Disposition Committee; (2) asked in what capacity Rich Gentile addressed the Council on the Burnside Avenue properties; (3) asked that the actual sales price of any property in East Hartford be documented on the land records that are recorded in the Town Clerk's office; (4) suggested that the length of the performance bond required of the lessee of the golf course be increased to cover the costs of the capital improvements; (5) believes that the lessee of the golf course should be responsible for any necessary repairs of the buildings at the golf course and the repair of the irrigation system if it fails; (6) does not agree with the overtime guaranteed to the former employees of the
golf course in their union contracts; (7) asked for a referral to the Ordinance Committee as it relates to a public hearing prior to the approval of all employee union contracts.
Patrick Sanzo, 23 Risley Street, is concerned that the use of the wireless video camera system may infringe on the privacy of town citizens and suggested that strong control measures be implemented. Also, Mr. Sanzo stated that some of the pews in the Chamber need minor surface repairs.
Mayor Currey announced Vice Chair Horan's participation in the upcoming demolition derby being held in Waterford this weekend. Additionally, as it relates to the leasing of the East Hartford golf course to MDM LLC, Ms. Currey stated that the Council gave her the clear authority to negotiate and sign a contract/lease, and part of that is negotiating with the unions as it relates to overtime issues. The Mayor also stated that
Mr. Matt Menchetti, owner of MDM LLC, met this evening with the presidents of the golf leagues that presently play at the East Hartford golf course to discuss maintaining the current golf schedule. Also, Mr. Menchetti stated that the East Hartford High School golf team would be allotted time at the golf course free of charge.
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION By Don Pitkin
seconded by Bill Horan
to adjourn (10:00 p.m.).
Motion carried 8/0.
The Chair announced that the next meeting of the Town Council would be on October 30, 2007.
Attest________________________________
Angela M. Attenello
TOWN COUNCIL CLERK
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